A Version of Home: NASA Wake Up Calls and Love of Space Music from Gemini VI to Artemis II

 

Think of the space shuttle as a high-tech road trip with a difference: You can’t get out until the trip is over, pot and beer are forbidden, and 125 miles straight down, somebody who isn’t even travelling with you get to pick what’s on the tape deck.  Astronaut Steve Robinson

For space lovers and music nerds, this past 10 days has been a spectacular combination of our passions. With the launch of Artemis II, we not only had the traditional Wake-Up Calls, but we also had astronaut and NASA playlists of favorite moon and space-themed songs. But what is it about music and space? Where did this tradition even really begin? Outside of that scope, there is also a history of playing instruments singing songs in space. But how did it even begin?

This blog post would not be possible without the wonderful work of NASA historians such as Colin Fries and music lover Ross Spencer. NASA Johnson Space Center is also a wonderful source of music information. Their links appear at the end of this post.

As a joke, in December of 1965, NASA woke up the Gemini 6 crew, Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, with a parody of the song Hello, Dolly. Furthermore, the crew would also be the first to officially play instruments in space when they performed Jingle Bells on the bells and harmonica. This joke would eventually become a fond tradition for NASA, the crew, and subsequently the rest of us humans.

As missions crew longer, the importance of keeping the astronauts on a schedule and keeping morale high were important. Remember, the astronauts are travelling at 17,000 miles per hour as they orbit Earth. They have 16 sunrises and sunsets per 24 hours. Songs were lighthearted, meaningful, and/or jabs at each other, especially when it came to alma matters and military background.

Apollo to Artemis

The moon missions fifty years apart could not have been more different when it comes to style of music. And no, Apollo 11 did not have traditional wake up music, the focus was on sports and news. The songs during the lunar missions were popular songs from the time by artists such as Frank Sinatra and Rober Goulet. There were also some moon-themed songs such as If I Ever Saw Your Face.

The final moon mission prior to Artemis I and II was that of Apollo 17 in 1972.  It’s command and service module (CSM) was nicknamed America. The wakeup call before their return to Earth for Gene Cernan, Ron Evans, and Harrison Schmitt was John Denver’s version of City of New Orleans, with the rousing chorus of “Good morning, America, how are you?” And fittingly, a song played as they left lunar orbit was The Carpenter’s song We’ve Only Just Begun.

Fast Forward 52 years to Artemis II fly around the moon. (We’ll get to Shuttle, Skylab, MIR, and ISS, don’t worry).

Just like 1972, the songs for Astronauts commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen they are uplifting and popular, such as Pink Pony Club by Chappel Roan and Working Class Heroes by CeeLo Green. Their final wake-up call prior to splash down was 1999’s Run to the Water by Live, again showing there is thought and love going into these selections. But it was really a pre-recorded message for their wake-up call just prior to their passing Apollo 13’s record for farthest distance from traveled by humans.

Hello, Artemis II! This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood! When Frank Borman, Bill Anders, and I orbited the Moon on Apollo 8, we got humanity’s first up-close look at the Moon and got a view of the home planet that inspired and united people around the world. I’m proud to pass that torch on to you — as you swing around the Moon and lay the groundwork for missions to Mars … for the benefit of all. It’s a historic day, and I know how busy you’ll be. But don’t forget to enjoy the view. So, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy, and all the great teams supporting you  – good luck and Godspeed from all of us here on the good Earth.

Skylab, Soyuz, and Shuttle

NASA continued the tradition of wake-up calls as space technology and longevity of missions grew. Skylab, the first US space station, had crewed missions from 1973-1975. With the Cold War simmering away, the tensions between USSR and USA in space thawed slightly and saw the join Apollo-Soyuz Mission in 1975. The songs for this historic, joint US-USSR mission were a blend of American songs such as Good Morning, Sunshine and the aptly named Midnight in Moscow.

Of course, with the highly anticipated Space Shuttle missions, the tradition would continue.  For Space Transportation System (STS)-1, Space Shuttle Columbia, the first wake-up call was a mix of music from Spike Jones and general ribbing of astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen:

"It's splashdown, and Crip, you could both use a shower," said one member of the radio team. "You've waited for this for 12 years and if you don't wake-up you're going to miss the whole darn thing." "Crip," said one voice, "get out of the rack." "No, no, no," said the other. "If he wakes up, he'll spill coffee all over the controls.” “Get to work, you guys. You’ve got 300 government agencies out there to support.”

The next shuttle missions would hear wake-up calls from Jim Henson and his Muppets. What also occurred during these Shuttle missions is that employees from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) who called themselves Contraband. They would pay song selections for the astronaut wake-up calls. Songs would continue to represent astronaut military branch, upcoming marriages, and soundtrack music from popular films from the time such as Flashdance and Rocky.

Following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the return to orbit was STS-26 Space Shuttle Discovery in 1988. The first wake-up call was done by Robin Williams. Gooooooood morning, Discovery! As Williams film, Good Morning Vietnam was popular at the time. And even more celebrities would join in on the wake-up calls. William Shatner (STS-29 3/16/1989), Patrick Stewart, aka Star Trek-the Next Generation's Captain Jean-Luc Picard (STS-44 11/25/91), and even Sir Paul McCartney (ISS Expedition Crew 12 7/2003 and STS-135 7/11/2011). The final wake-up song played for the Space Shuttle Program was God Bless America sung by Kate Smith and dedicated to all who worked on the Space Shuttle Program from it's inception. Musicians such as Sir Paul McCartney, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and U2 are some of those who had their tunes beamed to our astronauts in space. 

Even as NASA moved from the Shuttle to programs like the Mars Spirit and Opportunity Rover, the songs continued. While the songs were still meant for waking up, it was more for the mission team and their morale. 

So, who chooses these songs over all these years and why? For the most part, it was the capsule communicator (CAPCOM) who would choose those songs. Yes, that guy not sitting in your car selecting the songs for your road trip. The CAPCOM is the only one speaking to the crew from Mission Control. 

You play some lively, peppy bit of music – normally just two minutes of it – and after a pause, you hear some groggy voice on the microphone mumbling, ‘Good morning, Houston,’” Hadfield explains. “You don’t want to play a dirge or something uninspiring. You want to get them going in the morning.” Consequently, the selections are usually benign – it’s considered poor form, and possibly dangerous, to freak out a sleeping astronaut with Rob Zombie or Eminem. Astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Over the years, the songs have evolved from friendly ribbing to heartfelt dedications and special moments across the miles. Family members, fellow astronauts, and fellow astronaut musicians have been known to make heartfelt dedications. 

Musicians in Space

While Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford were the first to play instruments (a smuggled harmonica and bells) in space, it was a Ukrainian astronaut to sing music in space in 1962. But it would be one of NASA's 1978 Group 8, "Group of New Guys" astronaut class and Contraband member, Ron McNair, to play the first saxophone in space, this too was smuggled like Schirra and Stafford's harmonica and bells. Ron, a trained jazz saxophonist, played with this fellow Contraband members on STS-41B Challenger. For STS-51-L, Ron was planning to play a song he had been working on with Jean-Michel Jarre for an upcoming album called Rendes Vous. The plan was for Ron to play in space while Jarre played live, and the music would be satellite fed live to the concert. While Ron was lost with the six other astronauts on board Challenger in 1986, Jarre paid homage to his friend with Last Rende Vous (Ron's Piece).

Jarre also came up with an idea for the track that, unbeknown to him, would take on a whole new meaning at the concert itself. “I found out from talking to people that in the total silence of space what you can hear the most is your own heartbeat. And then I got the idea to use Ron’s heartbeat to create the loop and the beat of the track. Obviously now, looking back, it has such a meaning given what happened later on."

NASA, Ron's fellow astronauts, and his wife worked with Jarre to ensure that piece was still played. 

Many astronauts are also musicians. Due to their brilliance and also the known soothing and mental health qualities of music, it seems a natural fit. From Judy Resnik and Chris Hadfield and Cady Coleman to Contraband and Max Q, music brings home to space. It is also the act of playing their instruments in space and honing their craft in zero gravity that makes music so special. Not to mention when you can play in space along with your favorite musicians such as Ian Anderson, it makes the space memories a little more special.  

Astronauts are no different than you or I when it comes to loving music. Music can 

...astronaut Steve Robinson brought 20 discs. While riding an exercise bike on the lower level, Robinson listened to electric-blues guitarists Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. While staring literally into space, he chose a musician friend’s version of Pachelbel’s Canon. He fell asleep to Chris Isaak. “It’s one of the most personal things that you’re able to take up in space. Wherever your music is, that’s sort of a version of home."

From Susan Rogers to Oliver Sacks, the study of why music “hits us” the way it does knows no bounds. And as we all download the Artemis Playlist and wake-up call list to our iPhones, let us think about our journey back to the moon on Artemis III. What will those songs and wake-up calls sound like?

And more importantly, what would your space wake-up call be?

Chronology of Wakeup Calls

The tragic triumph of the world's largest concert - New York Amsterdam News

NASA Wakeup Calls: About | Music To Wake Up By

Challenger Seven: We Haven't Forgotten Our Star Voyagers

 

                                                                                                                               Photo: Michael R Brown

The future is not free: the story of all human progress is one of a struggle against all odds. We learned again that this America, which Abraham Lincoln called the last, best hope of man on Earth, was built on heroism and noble sacrifice. It was built by men and women like our seven star voyagers, who answered a call beyond duty, who gave more than was expected or required and who gave it little thought of worldly reward. ~Ronald Reagan January 31, 1986

Dick Scobee - Commander

US Air Force Vietnam Veteran. NASA Group 8 1978. Piloted Challenger on STS-41-C.

Michael Smith - Pilot

US Navy Vietnam Veteran. NASA Group 9 - 1980

                                                                                                                                  Photo NASA

Judith Resnik - Mission Specialist

University of Maryland PHD. Accepted to Julliard (piano). NASA Group 8 - 1978. Mission Specialist on STS-41-D Discovery. First Jewish Astronaut in space. 

 

                                                                                                                                     Photo NASA

Ronald McNair - Mission Specialist 

MIT PHD. NASA Group 8 - 1978. Karate Black Belt. First to play a musical instrument in space on board STS-41-B Challenger. Was set to record a saxophone solo for Composer Jean Michel Jarre's album Rendez-Vous and take part in a live-feed concert. Instead, Jarre composed Last Rendez Vous (Ron's Piece) and used the sound of Ron's heartbeat. 

                                                                                                                                        Photo NASA

Ellison Onizuka - Mission Specialist 

University of Colorado BS/MS. USAF. NASA Group 8 - 1978. STS-51-C Discovery. First Asian American in space. 

                                                                                                                                               Photo Unknown

Gregory Jarvis - Payload Specialist 

MS Northeastern. USAF. Hughes Aircraft.

                                                                                                                                 Photo NASA

Christa McAuliff - Payload Specialist

MA Bowie State University. Teacher in Space. 

                                                                                                                           Photo Smith Collection

STS - 51-L Space Shuttle Challenger. 

Many will never forget that morning. We were young Shuttle enthusiasts and the news that the teacher in space was getting made a "usual" Shuttle flight more exciting and made even more interested in the space program. The astronauts were also going to study Haley's Comet and Christa was going to perform science experiments from space into classrooms. Instead, 73 seconds into the launch, we witnessed sights and heard sounds we will never forget. The image of Christa's parents staring at the sky, students crying, and those before and after words that will forever be seared into that memory: Challenger, go with throttle up and Obviously, a major malfunction. But what could have been the end of NASA and the fear of space flight actually propelled so many to keep the dream alive of what Challenger was mean to fulfill. 

What we know now, 40 years later, was that NASA, Morton Thiokol, and egos allowed the worst disaster NASA had seen since the Apollo 1 fire on the launchpad nineteen years prior to happen. 

What we also know, with the prior Apollo 1 and subsequent Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, is that we cannot stop reaching for the stars. While the program has always come up against budget, mission, and sustainability, there are still and will always be dreamers. As long as NASA's Flight Director Gene Kranz's directive of being Tough and Competent is followed, space travel and exploration should be airtight safe, save for the obvious dangers of lighting thousands of tons of fuel and hurling humans through the atmosphere and into the vacuum of space.  From the damning Roger's Commission Report to the inspiring Ride Report, there are those who know the constantly changing priorities and challenges. 

NASA would return to space on September 29, 1988, with STS 26 Space Shuttle Discovery. It was aptly declared as the "Return to Flight" mission. And in less than two weeks, no earlier than February 6, 2026, NASA will launch Artemis II, a ten-day mission taking astronauts around the moon to prepare for future lunar landings. 

We haven't forgotten the dream. 

The Space Shuttle Challenger, atop a mobile launch platform, slowly moves through the Florida fog to Launch Pad 39A in preparation for its first liftoff on the STS-6 mission. The fully assembled Shuttle, weighting 12,000 pounds less than predecessor Columbia, completed the trip to the pad in just over six hours on Nov. 30, 1982.

Presidential Address to the Nation on the Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle. But they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, "Give me a challenge, and I'll meet it with joy.'' They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us. We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute. We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it.''

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, "He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.'' Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth'' to "touch the face of God.''

Note: The President spoke at 5 p.m. from the Oval Office at the White House. The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television.

“This whole time, everything we’ve assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong.” —Dustin (Season 5)

 

We have finally reached the end. The final volume of the final season of Stranger Things drops December 31st. (I think November 6^th would have been cooler, but that is beside the point). This show has been very special especially to those who grew up in the 1908’s The Duffer Brothers have successfully taken our hiraeth and let us time travel into a Hawkins where The Facts of Life was on TV Friday nights and you can still hit record as soon as the DJ finishes introducing your favorite song.

So, where do we think this all ends? Let’s review some plot holes, missing characters, and potential theories that will lead us to the finale. And hopefully, not that they were not important dialogues, let's hope there is less talking and more showing in the final hours of Stranger Things.

P.S. Duffer Brothers – we don’t want St. Elsewhere.

Ted Wheeler and the Turnbow family?

We all know what Karen Wheeler has been up to (wow) but what about Ted? Is he being purposefully left out? And did Derek’s family ever free themselves and report what happened?

Max’s non-reaction to Hopper being alive.

When Max was last in the right side up of Hawkins and not yet in Henry’s memory. Is this just oversight? Foreshadowing of a time jump or memory quest that Max took? Or even more so, what about El and Max not having a deeper moment since they were very close.

Mr. Clarke, Camazotz, and Wind in the Door

Yay science and AV for the win! M. Clarke is a favorite of the group, but definitely for Dustin. His convenient teachings of wormholes in 1987 are a great tie into Madeline L’Engle’s classic book A Wrinkle in Time (but let’s not forget about his Mellon Lord of the Rings reference as well as who says it!). Where are we going here – right. Holly has appropriately named where she and Max are/was Camazotz, which is an evil place ruled by IT in A Wrinkle in Time. If this is Holly’s coping mechanism to explain what’s going on, let’s roll with this. If you follow this through to L’Engle’s follow up, Wind in the Door, which involves determining the real person (versus evil doubles) based on their “goodness.” This book also involves sacrifice to save one of the characters.

Whew.

What does this mean? Holly is going to be saved by a sacrifice who also fills a void needed by whatever the evil force really is (Henry, Vecna, Mr. Whatsit). Is this Mr. Clarke? El?

 

 

Hey I found Dr. Brenner’s notes: The Abyss, Wormhole, and November 6 - Oklahoma!

Unfair to many viewers who were not able to see the Broadway production of Stranger Things, The First Shadow, much is explained about Henry and what was going on in the 1950s. While names have been changed and stories altered, will the show prove some truths in the finale? But looking closely at the flyer (in picture above) we see all of the parental/guardians of the kids (Joyce, Jim, Karen, Ted, Eddie’s dad, Henry Creel and PATTY NEWBY! But why would none of the parental units mention this? Wormhole mind trickery anyone? We’re closing in on November 6, 1987.

Quick review for those who did not see The First Shadow. FYI, this explains the cave and who the man in the cave potentially was and how Henry was first transported to Dimension X, how he obtained his special blood type, and his killing spree. Stranger Things: The First Shadow - Wikipedia

So (if you read the plot summary of The First Shadow) we know that the unique blood comes from those who 1) when to Dimension X or 2) were transfused with senior Brenner (Henry) or 2) Henry’s blood (the kids in the Rainbow Room including 008 and 011). Now – why does 008’s blood harm people? And will we ever see Patty again?? She is the only one that can get through to Henry and stop him before the bad Abyss (also D&D reference) world eats through the bridge (aka The Upside Down) to Hawkins (earth) and consumes all with evil.

Eight/Kali

Everyone’s Spidey senses are seeing right through the manipulative character we haven’t seen since Season 2. Not only is she bleeding from the opposite nostril since we last saw her, but apparently her blood (from Henry) is hurting the pregnant women in the lab. Oh, and she is trying to convince El that to stop all of this (since Eleven likely has the blood the military wants to continue the program) she needs to sacrifice herself so Dr. Kay can’t continue the program. Is 008 an evil copy? If yes, hello again Madeline L’Engle theory and where is the real 008?

 

Will we ever see them again?

Crissy, Billy, Eddie, Alexi, Bark, Bob, and what about Elenor Gillespie?

All of these names evoke happy and sad memories. They all made a difference to the story and impacted the viewer. 

 

The Final Song

Music can reach parts of the brain that words can't. So maybe that's the key, a lifeline. A lifeline back to reality. ~Robin

They used Queen's Who Wants to Live Forever for the previews. Where did that end up, and will it be used? It’s a perfect finale song released in 1986 for the movie Highlander. 

For November 1987 – Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now was a perfect fit since it was on the Billboard Charts at that time. Other possibilities if the Duffers are following the charts at the time include REM’s The One I Love, Springsteen’s Brilliant Disguise, or George Michae’s Faith. For 1987 in general, there are some very exciting potential choices: Crowded House Don’t Dream It’s Over, INXS’s Never Tear Us Apart, or U2’s With or Without You/Still Haven’t Found. Bonus for any T’Pau Heart and Soul, Expose Come Go with Me/Point of No Return, or Cutting Crew I Just Died in Your Arms.  

 

However, the Duffer Brothers did tease that the music used is rarely if ever given permission to be used. I want to go with Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On for their excellent references of Mordor, Bruce Springsteen No Surrender, Faith No More We Care a Lot, or Depeche Mode Never Let Me Down … any of these would leave me sobbing on the floor.

 

Wrap Up - Predictions

What happens (hopes and wishes here): Kali is revealed to be evil and hidden somewhere else. El and Will are able to make way with fighting Vecna/Henry and rescuing Holly and the other kids possibly with the help of Max. Steve’s Slinkie theory holds true as The Abyss is layers and they are able to cut off the bridge. Trying to figure out a way that Eleven “survives” without having to constantly worry about the government (at least until the Cold War is over). Maybe she is able to find that place with the waterfall with Mike. Patty has to make an 11^th hour appearance to stop Henry. I don’t think they can destroy Dimension X or The Abyss – so it’s sealed off somehow. But this is still dangerous.

Who dies? I Don’t think this will be an obvious character outside of Dr Kay and Kali (or what is the copy of her at least). It won’t be Hopper because he wants to die. Tragic choices would be Joyce, Steve, Murray, Eddie again (you never know), or Mr. Clarke.

Surprises? Patty is a big one - since we don't know how she would find out she is needed. If Mike has powers/abilities/ 

It’s been so much fun all of these seasons to travel back to our youth. See you on the other side.

 

This Film Should Be Played Loud ... 49 Years of The Last Waltz

What is Shangri-La?
It's a club house where we get together and play. Make records.
  Yeah.           
Kind of better. It's like an office, I guess.It used to be a bordello.
A bordello?
You can tell by the wallpaper.

On November 25, 1976, The Band played what was to be their last show. What they did not know was that, with the help of a handful of very special musical friends and the under the direction of Martin Scorsese, this concert film would become of the greatest concert films every produced. It captured The Band at their summit and put some of our musical greats in a time capsule of musical decadence. While there are musical politics surrounding the making of the film, all should be assured that the music fan only sees what greatness came from that night.

Where else are you going to find Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Allen Toussaint, Muddy Waters, Ringo Starr, and Van Morrison performing on one stage. It was an odd era of music as the grandiose behavior and decadence was beginning to wane on many. Bill Graham, concert promoter legend, spearheaded the concert at his venue, Winterland on Thanksgiving Day. Concert goers would enjoy a full dinner before the show.


If you want the full experience, you must watch the film and listen to the recordings. Some of the show's highlights were not included in the final cut. But Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson gave us 11 songs that are a snapshot of an era. The additional songs by the artists are simply the gratuitous adornments to an already glittery affair.

Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield, and Bobby Charles

From Levon Helm's passionate performance of The Night they Drove Ole Dixie Down to the classic concert closer, The Weight, each song is its own timeless masterpiece. By this point, The Band had been touring for over fifteen years and the excesses began to break everyone down. But to their credit, they ended at their best. While there were subsequent attempts - this was the quintessential The Band.

A great example of the talent of The Band that was on stage at Winterland on November 25, 1976, can be seen and heard in what is the show's opening song. The band is strong, energetic, and seems like they could go on for a few hours. This was actually their last song of the night - over five hours from when they

first started playing.

Because of technology and social media, we will never, ever have moments like these again. You bought paper tickets, probably did lines of coke off your dinner plate, and then sang for over five hours to some of the greatest musicians to play their craft. There was no simulcast or YouTube of it. Besides Scorsese's vision, this is all we have of this moment in time. Music fans had some dinner and watched an amazing show, not realizing they were a part of something so very special that would still be performed and remembered so vividly forty years later.

Levon Helm and Ringo Star

Fairytales and I Love You

November 22nd still hangs in my heart so heavy - the day Michael's smile faded into obscurity and his legend would be tarnished with the actions of his final years. But still, we grieve, we mourn, and we celebrate the rock god of our adolescence.

It's been 28 years since INXS lost their magnetic north. The band has most recently ended their reign, never coming back from that loss of their lead singer. INXS exists now only in our memories. And what glorious memories they are.

Fancy dinner parties, ballerinas on the Charles Bridge, red desert sunsets, beautiful blondes, brunettes, Mad Max underworlds, and motorcycles in Hong Kong painted the video world of INXS. Live Baby Live gave us the Michael we all know. He enthralled the 74,000 fans in attendance at Wembley, making us sway back and forth like high school lovers when we heard the first notes of Never Tear Us Apart and The Stairs. He was a musician, actor, son, brother, friend, and father. What he gave to us and to his fellow band mates are incredible memories, cemented forever in some of the best times of our lives. 

Again, I must thank my flat mates in Sydney for taking that very hot trek to see Michael's memorial. Who knew how many cemeteries there were in suburban Sydney. It was a nod to my past and the musical memories he gave me. I had to thank the man I crushed on for years. It was hard to think how quickly his bright star could quickly be diminished. In our hearts, he lives on as the charismatic lead singer. In our memories, he is the sad ending of a paparazzi nightmare. In our ears, his voice will be forever golden.     

It's so strange
How my life's changed
I know nothing
About the people that I touched

~Michael Hutchence - Possibilities

Tears Fall Down My Face

Michael Hutchence Memorial - Sydney 2000

28 years ago on November 22nd, the music world lost an enigmatic soul. Michael Kelland Hutchence was more than an 80s pop icon. To his fans, he was a free-spirited artist who helped to change the music and video world. He was a musician, actor, father, husband, brother, and son. And yes, he had his demons, but don't we all? 

Michael will forever be remembered as the sexy bad boy with cinnamon curls and caramelized skin. INXS wasn't a stranger to the Australian pop scene in the early 80's. It really was not until Kick in 1987 that they broke through and became known internationally. But like with any band, it was Michael, the lead singer who got all of the attention. Even today, mention Kirk Pengilly or Andrew Farriss and people will just look at you quizzically. 

From Kylie to Helena to Paula, Michael's exploits were tabloid fodder and paparazzi dollars. Once the star began to fall, everyone wanted to know his next move. His death, shocking and heartbreaking, became even more tragic when Paula Yates also died soon after, leaving their daughter without parents. It is also his death that most will remember. For me, it doesn't matter how he died. He's gone. End of story. 

While I love their earlier albums just as much as Kick, X, or Welcome to Wherever You Are, the X tour and subsequent Live Baby Live at Wembley Stadium in 1991 is when Michael was at the very top of his career. My God, they filled Wembley!  This show and tour was a testament to not just INXS, but to Michael's ability to entertain an entire stadium full of fans. 

His loss was not just felt in the world of his fans but in his music family. The band tried to go on, but the night I saw them in Sydney in 2000 was just not the same. The night I met Bono under the Brooklyn Bridge, which just happened to be November 22nd, we hugged over the memory of Michael. 

But you tore a hole in space
Like a dark star, falls from grace
You burn across the sky
And I would find you wings to fly
And I would catch you
I would catch your fall

 Michael Hutchence and Bono - Fly Away

Jeff Buckley ... Everyone's Lover

Jeff Buckley was best described the one night 11 years ago at the Annual New York City Tribute as everyone's lover. That statement could not be truer. Everyone at Arlene's had their "first time I heard Jeff" story, akin to comparing our first night to a sensuous lover. Everyone knows where they were the first time they heard his angelic voice.


What I loved about the event that Robert Urban once produced each year was that it wasn't just a carbon copy of Grace...it was songs that Jeff performed and loved. Starting off with Zeppelin's Kashmir and The Rain Song, the night continued with incredible artists such as Elijah Black, Tracy Stark, Randy Jones, Jason Morris, Tanya Holt, Marcus Simeone, and Gretchen Reinhagen. We heard Everybody Hear Wants You and Mojo Pin covered by Tara Lynne, some Dylan, some Billie Holiday, and Maya Solovey and guests performed gorgeous renditions of So Real, Lilac Wine, and Lover, You Should Have Come Over.  The biggest surprise was hearing Yard of Blonde Girls, covered beautifully by Mike Linkens. Hearing Hallelujah as a duet was simple something none of us had EVER thought of and it was nothing short of magical and Jeff would have loved it.

Another year goes by, and more are discovering the wonder of Jeff that we have all known and loved for years. His mystery will always draw people to him, his (in)famous father deepens the enigma, and we will always wonder what would have become of Jeff had he lived another circle around the sun.

Happy 59th Jeff. We love and miss you.